Day 5 in the Wilderness: Stay near the fire.

40

“Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭24:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There is a true story about a lone survivor of a shipwreck, who, ending up on a small deserted island, was saved in a most ironic way.

This man, having been stranded, called on the Lord for His help. Surely enough, over the long period of time he was on the island, things continued to wash ashore from the wreckage of the boat. One of these treasures was a can of motor oil from which he was able to make a lantern. He would take the makeshift lantern every day up to a high place on the island, trying to signal passing ships. But, after a while, he gave that up and no longer took the lantern with him when he went to gather food.

Now, he had managed to gather enough driftwood and other materials to hobble together a hut for himself. One day—returning back to his hut—he saw that it was going up in a blaze ignited by the unattended lantern. Beleaguered, he watched in disbelief as thick smoke billowed from his last hope for continued survival. He cried out to the Lord and fell asleep in his sorrow.

After awhile this castaway was awakened by someone shaking him. This person was a sailor from a large ship the man could see anchored offshore. He asked the sailor how he knew to find him. The sailor informed him that he had seen his “smoke signal.” Well, you can imagine that the “smoke signal” was the man’s burning hut!

This story can be used for many good object lessons; but for our purposes today we will focus on the power of fire.

Man’s harnessing of fire led to so many wonderful things we now take for granted.

With fire you can cook; you can warm yourself; you can fend off enemies, and a myriad of other things.

We all know of the power of fires to destroy. For example, even as we speak, great wildfires are burning across the United States. Fire is essential; but fire is also scary.

Fire is an important symbol used in the Bible. For example, we hear that we are tried by fire.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Our works are judged by fire.

“each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭3:13-15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The Holy Spirit is likened to fire.

“John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

But we also see that scriptural references to fire are often literal. For example, Elijah called down fire from Heaven to destroy his enemies.

“So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.”

‭‭II Kings‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Additionally, the Lord was often seen in fire. And that brings us to our opening scripture.

Today we find the children of Israel experiencing the awesome fiery presence of the Lord. Most of the people were terrified; but Moses ascended into the fire.

“So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭24:18‬

We must understand that God doesn’t just appear in fire; He is a fire!

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:28-29‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The fire of His presence will eventually destroy all of His enemies. But to those of us who are with Him, His fire is a purifier and a protector. Therefore, rather than fearfully shrinking from the fire of God, let us rather pursue it.

For today write this in your “wilderness journal”:

Stay near the fire.

#40daysinthewilderness